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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Does anyone know the optimum positioning of a CFL. What I mean is, does a CFL's light intensity radiate parallel to the bulb (inline with the coil) or perpendicular to the coil. I don't know exactly how to explain my question, but I do not know if I should align my bulbs so that they point at my plants, downward vertically, or if they should be aligned so that they point outward, horizontally.
Does anyone know ?
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
I'm not sure with those coiled ones, but I would certainly get one of those cheap reflectors with clip thingees. That would solve the problem and use the light more efficiently.
My guess would be pointing down.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Cut some beer bottles in half and use them for reflectors. is that way your saying? Im so high...hope it helped haha
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by CannabisCarl2134
Cut some beer bottles in half and use them for reflectors. is that way your saying? Im so high...hope it helped haha
I hope you mean cans?:D
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
HAHAHAHAHA he said bottles. quick get the glass cutting diamond blade McGuyver!
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
lol yea, im hoping you meant cans too, im going to try placing them horizontal in plastic tubs. ill get pics up when i have it done.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
aluminum cans will most likely bounce the light back and forth in the can, and any that can get out will shine straight down, and not out at a cone shape that is desired. Just look at how reflectors are designed, and make something like that out of thin sheet metal or mylar covered plywood or something. Just 1/4" plywood painted flat white would do a good job.
Show me the plastic tubs you speak of.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by thex420
I don't know exactly how to explain my question,
Does anyone know ?
lol, I know exactly how to answer your question though. :smokin:
Here's the deal.
Fluorescent lights are all the same. They are a tube filled with pressurized gas that gets excited easily. The light generated from this shines out in absolute infinite direction. Meaning if the tube is round, it's shining out in all 360* of the tube, all the way down it. This is why the WHOLE tube glows...
The CFLs are EXACTLY the same. The only difference is they are smaller tubes which are coiled to achieve a better space to light ratio.
With almost any light, the only way to effectively "direct" the light is to have a non-spongey reflective surface OPPOSITE the side you want the light to affect and EVERYWHERE you want the light NOT to go...
I suggest MYLAR and some creativity.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by EXP13
Fluorescent lights are all the same...
With almost any light, the only way to effectively "direct" the light is to have a non-spongey reflective surface OPPOSITE the side you want the light to affect and EVERYWHERE you want the light NOT to go...
Of course fluoros are not all the same, but yes they in general use the same technology. There are hundreds of types of fluoros, and many of them are mostly useless for growing.
What a cool way of describing how a reflector should be designed. I never heard it put quite like that, and what a surprise, it makes perfect sense. Have a little rep.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Opie Yutts
Of course fluoros are not all the same, but yes they in general use the same technology. There are hundreds of types of fluoros, and many of them are mostly useless for growing.
What a cool way of describing how a reflector should be designed. I never heard it put quite like that, and what a surprise, it makes perfect sense. Have a little rep.
Heh, thanks. :jointsmile:
Well yes, of course, not all fluorescent lights are "the same" so to speak but they all operate exactly the same, at least to my knowledge. Even on different ballasts. (electronic or magnetic.)
Thanks for the clarification man..lol.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Well if by operate the same, you mean they use electricity to excite mercury vapor that's in an argon or neon gas, thus resulting in a plasma which produces an ultraviolet light, which causes any number of combinations of phosphors coatings to fluoresce, or light up, then yes, they all operate exactly the same.
Anyway I got curious and did a little search. Been thinking about switching to all fluoro in my veg chamber, and supplementing my HPS in the bud chamber with a couple-3 blue-geared fluoros. Thought I might share.
Fluorescent lamps:
- Blacklight
- Blacklight blue
- Sun
- Grow
- Germicidal
- Bug Zappers
- Electrodeless induction, which means there are no electrical connections inside the bulb. The energy is transferred from around and through the glass using electromagnetics.
- Cold-cathode fluorescent, used in scanners, LCD and TV displays
- Dimming
- Therapeutic
- High output
- Very high output
- Miniature
- Circline
- Outdoor
Compact Fluorescents (CFL):
- Spiral
- Triple Tube
- Standard
- Globe
- Flood
- Candelabra
Within those you have different:
- Phosphor combinations that use various blends of rare earth and metallic salts.
- Number of phosphor coatings.
- Gasses used to make the phosphor glow.
- Methods of creating a ballast: resistor, inductor, microwave, or capacitor for magnetic ballasts, transistor or semiconductor for electronic ballasts, or hybrids.
- Current; DC or AC
- Amount of flicker
- Amount of hum
- Start up methods: instant, preheated, rapid, cold, or programmed.
- Failure methods: emission mix, ballast electronics, phosphor efficiency drop off, or mercury absorption.
- Spectrums of color based on the Kelvin (K) scale.
- Watts.
- Lumens.
- Levels of mercury toxicity.
- Degrees of harmful ultraviolet light.
- Degrees of generated radio frequencies.
- Degrees of color faithfulness. Color relativity indexes (CRI).
- Fitting types
- Installation methods
I know I'm leaving a bunch of stuff out, but whatta ya want from a stoner. Feel free to add, comment, or rebut.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Well, I think we covered just about everything from reflecting light to how and what fluoros use to operate...
:S2:
Good luck with your reflector! :jointsmile:
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
I can answer this one.
The light shines most intense from the sides.
If you look at your bulb you'll notice a thicker layer of phosphorous that must block some light.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Oh yeah, I forgot odor eliminating fluorescents too.
Wherever the light shines, you'll want a reflector aiming it toward the plants. They're like $2.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Back to the question, I think you have to go by the number of lumens for an accurate comparison. I don't remember the numbers but I do know that an HPS has a much higher number of lumens per watt. That's the key. A little searching will answer your question. It's here. But look at lumens.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Oops. My bad. Question was positioning. Somebody said side of bulb. Cool. No wonder the buds toward the back of the cab get bigger than right under the bulbs. Thanks.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by qdavid
Back to the question, I think you have to go by the number of lumens for an accurate comparison. I don't remember the numbers but I do know that an HPS has a much higher number of lumens per watt.
Huh? What does this have to do with his question? Like I said you cannot be sure unless you look at spec sheets or call the mfg or do a light meter test. That's why I was suggesting that you could just solve any issues about it by getting a $2 reflector. Just because someone says something one way or the other, without backing it up with something, that doesn't mean it's the correct answer.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
When you do the light meter test, make sure you are not checking for lumens, since that's only what the human eye sees. You want to check for radiant flux instead of luminous flux, since that is the real amount of light.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Opie Yutts
Huh? What does this have to do with his question? Like I said you cannot be sure unless you look at spec sheets or call the mfg or do a light meter test. That's why I was suggesting that you could just solve any issues about it by getting a $2 reflector. Just because someone says something one way or the other, without backing it up with something, that doesn't mean it's the correct answer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by qdavid
Oops. My bad. Question was positioning. Somebody said side of bulb. Cool. No wonder the buds toward the back of the cab get bigger than right under the bulbs. Thanks.
Man. I said that. Geez. I'm so, so, sorry.PLEASE, PLEASE accept my humblest apology. Oh well. Whatever. I love know-it-alls.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
It's not about being a know-it-all. Besides, he probably didn't see that you posted your message before he did. Who knows, maybe he clicked quote, started typing then had to hit the shitter...The point is, don't be so sarcastically pesimistic...
And the know-it-alls here on cannabis.com are important to all those who seek guidance from experienced cultivators. It's about having the correct information for the appropriate topic. Depending on where you live, growing cannabis is a big risk. You better do it right.
The "know-it-alls" can help with that. Or not...Your choice really.
Just sayin..:wtf:
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
If it wasnt for "Know it alls" i would still be buying over priced low quality weed.
Now i am able to grow thanks to the "Know it alls".
Especially Opie Yutts he has helped me so much and i am so gratefull.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Preach! I think I am going to place them horizontally so that the sides of the bulbs are pointing towards the plants and not just the tips. Without any data that seems like the most reasonably anyway because that is where the larger amount of surface area is. There is no single person who is a "know it all" Proven data is the only "know it all"
Making the reflectors tonight, will post pics...
While there is a bunch of people in this thread, What is a good easy basic beginner nutrient system. Im needing a three part (veg, boost, bloom) and then a superthrive sort and a bloom booster.
Thanks !
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by qdavid
Man. I said that. Geez. I'm so, so, sorry.PLEASE, PLEASE accept my humblest apology. Oh well. Whatever. I love know-it-alls.
Sorry man, I didn't understand what you meant by your next post. I was a little (or more than a little) stoney at that time. Didn't mean to come down on you. I just didn't get it.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by EXP13
It's not about being a know-it-all.
...The point is, don't be so sarcastically pesimistic...
I hope you are not saying that I think that I'm a know it all. I have said in many of my posts that I have so much to learn yet. Even the know it alls have stuff to learn. And I was not trying to be sarcastic or pessimistic. I was just laying it down the way I saw it, even if I saw it incorrectly, which I've apologized for.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by privatepile
If it wasnt for "Know it alls" i would still be buying over priced low quality weed.
Now i am able to grow thanks to the "Know it alls".
Especially Opie Yutts he has helped me so much and i am so gratefull.
Thanks for that. I mean really. But agian, I'm far from a know it all. I'm just glad to pass on what knowledge I have in the weed farming category. People helped me once and I am trying to help back.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by thex420
Making the reflectors tonight, will post pics...
While there is a bunch of people in this thread, What is a good easy basic beginner nutrient system. Im needing a three part (veg, boost, bloom) and then a superthrive sort and a bloom booster.
Thanks !
Looking forward to the reflector pics.
I use Fox Farm hydroponic stuff, for both dirt and hydro, and am very satisfied. For the superthrive sort I would buy SuperThrive. You only need a couple drops per gallon so buy the little one. Not for use during flowering.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Opie Yutts
I hope you are not saying that I think that I'm a know it all. I have said in many of my posts that I have so much to learn yet. Even the know it alls have stuff to learn. And I was not trying to be sarcastic or pessimistic. I was just laying it down the way I saw it, even if I saw it incorrectly, which I've apologized for.
:S2:
No man, I was basically defending the know-it-alls. (You, me, us!) lol.
It's all good. :jointsmile:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Opie Yutts
Even the know it alls have stuff to learn.
Absolutely.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Opie Yutts
I was just laying it down the way I saw it, even if I saw it incorrectly, which I've apologized for.
And I was appraising your judgment..:D
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Opie Yutts
I use Fox Farm hydroponic stuff, for both dirt and hydro, and am very satisfied. For the superthrive sort I would buy SuperThrive. You only need a couple drops per gallon so buy the little one. Not for use during flowering.
I noticed that the Fox Farm Bloom nutrients are an organic nutrient. Is this the case for most 3 part systems ? Have you had any problems with organic nutrients clogging in 1/4" drippers or sprayers ?
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Unless you have unusually fine holes in the sprayers there should be no problem. I use Fox Farm's Grow Big and Tiger Bloom in my sprayers and haven't had a problem yet.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
I'm ready...i'm ready.....i'm ready eddy eddy. (whistling) bahahahahahahaha
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Opie Yutts
Unless you have unusually fine holes in the sprayers there should be no problem. I use Fox Farm's Grow Big and Tiger Bloom in my sprayers and haven't had a problem yet.
I guess I should say that I have inline filters though. I'm sure that makes a difference, but they don't even need cleaning much.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Got all my reflectors done finally. Let me know what you think.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
That looks good.
are those 42W CFL's?
That would mean about 5200 Lumens per hood.
You may want to go bigger.
are these hoods for veg only?
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Very good idea.
Now if you could get your hands on some MYLAR and line the insides of those with it you would be good to go.
Only problem now is the inevitable fact that those plastic-tubs will conduct a bit of excess heat. But considering you're using CFLs, even a small to moderatly sized fan can easily circulate the heat out of the area.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
yeah i might try and fit a small computer style fan on those hoods. just cuz they are made of plastic.
good luck
kd
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zcomp
That looks good.
are those 42W CFL's?
That would mean about 5200 Lumens per hood.
You may want to go bigger.
are these hoods for veg only?
No, Those are 27s 5500k. They are what I will be using for veg. For flowering, the largest 2700k bulb I could find that would fit two in a hood was 30w 2k lumens. So I only have space in the hoods for 4k ea hood, 12k lumen total. I was hoping by placing mylar on the entire cab I could use every bit of the 12k. I will also be trying to squeeze in a few more bulbs wherever I can.
Light has been one of my biggest worries. With the space I have, I couldn't really fit in a HID, plus cool it. I looked at 40w bulbs, but I couldn't fit two in a tub, so I would have the same total wattage for a higher price.
If I keep these hoods as close as I can, and vent them very well, should 12k-16k Lumens suffice in a 2X1 scrog environment.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Don't count yourself out on HID. During Veg I would use the CFL's. But my research shows that 150W HPS will produce less heat than your 180W of CFL's.
Just think... If HPS produces more lumens per watt then the assumption can be made that it burns cooler. Since more electricity is transformed into light, then less electricity is left to produce heat.
I could be wrong on this. But none have corrected me on it.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
You should be fine. You will get weed. Very inventive, good job. Of course it would be better if you could do some HPS during bloom. You'll of course get more weed that way. Mylar is way over rated compared to flat white, but it looks like those tubs are kind of glossy. I would get a can of flat white paint or mylar the insides.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
Thanks Opie. I really wanted to go HPS, but just didn't want to bite off more than I could chew with the first grow. If it goes well, and I can keep temps down with CFLs I'll try beefing up my fan and going HPS.
The tubs were originally clear. So I painted the outsides of the hood, which left the thin clear plastic on the inside with the white behind it. Is the clear plastic going to interfere with reflectivity. I know the light is going to refract while traveling through the plastic before it hits the white, but I just don't know how that is going to effect the hood.
Also because it is painted, when I turn the hood on, you can see light glowing through the white. Would it be smart to put a black layer over the white so that it doesn't glow ?
The inside of the hood would still remain white, but the outside would be black.
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CFL Light Intensity Question...
The clear plastic tubs are probably absorbing allot of light rather than reflecting it. That probably accounts for why it glows so well LOL.
Paint the inside and you'll probably reflect more.